|
So in my quest to find a decent tiny sized familiar, someone brought up the monkey to me, as something that could throw items, as well as wield a weapon, and other interesting things. But I'm not sure if these are within the realm of what the monkey can do. I know it has hands, but no thumbs. So is it capable of either throwing an item (anything, really), or wielding a weapon (a spear most likely, as doing so should let it threaten with the additional range, unless a 0 foot reach doubled is still a 0 foot reach)?
Well as anyone ever been to a zoo can tell you Monkeys can throw things.
and I can even see giving it a small knife, but it size is tiny and has No weapon feats, so damage is going to be nil..A monkey would be a good familiar if you wanted one that can climb and take small object unseen.
One thing a Monkey could do is carry a healing potion and give it to a down companion.
|
|
Well as anyone ever been to a zoo can tell you Monkeys can throw things.
and I can even see giving it a small knife, but it size is tiny and has No weapon feats, so damage is going to be nil..A monkey would be a good familiar if you wanted one that can climb and take small object unseen.
One thing a Monkey could do is carry a healing potion and give it to a down companion.
Well that's why you give it a spear, so it threatens, which is the real reason it matters. If it does, it gives flanking, which is the important part. An AOO too, but it's not landing those.
The throwing thing is useful for the Preservationist Alchemist, giving it the ability to throw one of its infusions while still acting in the round, which really increases the character's action economy.
I'll admit this is a bit of a question for my guide, but it's also important to know for any other reason as well, like if they take penalties for throwing things since they're monkeys, or other such rules issues.
"It's a prime ape so it can climb on the ceiling in caves." I swear I have heard this argument from a player before. It still makes me laugh.
|
|
"It's a prime ape so it can climb on the ceiling in caves." I swear I have heard this argument from a player before. It still makes me laugh.
Well only the Prime Apes can do that, but the Composite Apes get their Strength bonus to bow attacks.
Really the only issue is having a tiny familiar who can throw infusions (not bombs, since that's not allowed without delay bomb), as to make a Preservationist that much more lethal. The weapon thing was brought up by someone in another thread, allowing it to threaten and help the Alchemist flank and help out with damage, since you're passing a 3/4ths BAB over to the little guy. The spear is so it threatens, but again, I'm not sure if a monkey CAN wield a spear, or if it can, if it gets a 5 foot reach, or says at 0ft reach.
If its fantasy monkey spear fu your looking for go ahead. But aabout the closest thing a monkey can spear is termites. They just cant grip things like humans. Best to have it throw things.
can monkeys wield wands?
Wield them? Yes.
Use one? No.
Optimus Prime Ape?
No, It's Optimus Primal leader of the Maximals...OR...Optimus Primeape an AWSOME concept for a steel/fighting pokemon.
can monkeys wield wands?Wield them? Yes.
Use one? No.
Why not?
At late levels it has a high INT and if you put it's skill points into umd, I cant think of any reason why it wouldn't work. (I can think f several why it SHOULDN'T but...)
No spell list, and no articulating voice.Why not?can monkeys wield wands?No.
At late levels it has a high INT and if you put it's skill points into umd, I cant think of any reason why it wouldn't work. (I can think f several why it SHOULDN'T but...)I should have qualified that answer. A Monkey Familiar can use a wand, when:
- It has spent at least one point in the UMD skill (so it has to be 10th level).
- It can roll a 20 on the skill check.
- It is under the influence of a spell such as Tongues, to allow it to vocalise the command word.
|
No spell list, and no articulating voice.Why not?can monkeys wield wands?No.At late levels it has a high INT and if you put it's skill points into umd, I cant think of any reason why it wouldn't work. (I can think f several why it SHOULDN'T but...)I should have qualified that answer. A Monkey Familiar can use a wand, when:
- It has spent at least one point in the UMD skill (so it has to be 10th level).
- It can roll a 20 on the skill check.
- It is under the influence of a spell such as Tongues, to allow it to vocalise the command word.
Actually, the familiar uses the master's ranks in skills if they are higher, so if you invest in UMD the monkey can use it from level 1.
The speech is a problem though. 3.5 had pearl of speech to let animals talk and say command words.
Actually, the familiar uses the master's ranks in skills if they are higher, so if you invest in UMD the monkey can use it from level 1.
True. But there is some uncertainty as to whether this makes said skill trained, which UMD needs to be to use it at all.
Good as an extra look-out.
Use any skill ranks to aid-another.
Excellent conversation piece.
Custom make a mini Pouch of Holding and keep spare tools in there.
Emergency potion dispenser.
Someone to have thumb wars with.
Familiars can talk with their master at 5th level, which means at that point they have a language. Your GM may deem that enough.
|
|
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, so I'll mention it here. Just be sure you're not trying this in PFS. There is a special FAQ regarding animal companions and familiars using magic devices, and only some improved familiars are allowed to do it. Use of weapons is also forbidden.
Okay, this is more what I needed to know, thank you very much for this bit of info. Could you please link me to the FAQ for this? I have someone telling me about the value of familiars doing things like this, and I'd rather make sure everything I suggest is legal.
Really? I think your confusing theoretical capacity fr tool use and weapon use. Their ability to grip stuff is not even close to a humans.
Really? I think your confusing theoretical capacity fr tool use and weapon use. Their ability to grip stuff is not even close to a humans.
"Manipulate" would be a better word. Per pound their gripping power is way stronger than ours.
On the topic of the Monkey not being able to properly hold a spear, refer to this picture.
|
Could you please link me to the FAQ for this?
Can my animal companion or familiar wear or use magic items?
If this is a Druid character, you might want to consider the Fire Seeds spell to give your monkey something to throw that packs a bit of punch. ;)
:Byronus
It says that some improved familiars use the Biped (hands) section of the chart. It does not say that they are allowed to activate devices.
Which seems especially strange for the faerie dragon/tidepool dragon since they are sorcerers in their own right.....
Well, I meant in the PFS context it is a disconnect. A sorcerer who can't use wands/scrolls.
I can't imagine too many people would normally forbid it.
Can be a wand caddy.
"Smithers, the lightning wand please"
"Oohk AAAACK!" *hands lightning wand*
This could conceivably save you actions when swapping out wands in combat.
Well, that's good.
Don't really play PFS, so I was just going by the first quoted FAQ "familiars are not intended to activate magic items."
Of course, it still leaves the tidepool dragon out in the cold. :(
(assuming tidepool dragon is PFS legal)
That FAQ does need to be updated. We've reminded Michael Brock, but he's understandably busy with Con season in full swing. Besides, his quotes are just as "official" as any FAQ for us.
Understandable.
And that's what you get when playing in his "homegame." :P